The packaging of hydrocolloids in fine powders

Hydrocolloids are polysaccharides of high molecular weight extracted from plants and seaweeds or produced by microbial synthesis. They are used in all areas of the food industry and in a growing number of cosmetic, pharmaceutical and technical applications.

Traditional packaging of these high-value additives involves time, is material consuming and mostly a manual operation, normally involving a plastic bag filled with the product and then protected inside a box to keep the package clean, safe and hermetic.

Thanks to the development of innovative plastic bag materials and the Concetti Group expertise in bag filling and handling, it is now possible to reach the same degree of product safety and protection by packaging these powders into hermetically heat-sealed plastic bags, which are then stacked on pallets of different dimensions. 

The FFS machine CONTINUA integrated with an innovative weighing system for powders and a Concetti four column palletiser is a proven reality, turning the whole packaging process into an automatic, safe and far more cost effective operation.

The product handling starts with the Concetti gross weigher model GROSS/CC comprising a special load hopper designed in accordance with Atex regulations and fitted with accessories to aid the product flow, such as pneumatic vibrators and spiked agitator. This hopper is also equipped with a program controlled product-sampling device for continuous checking of product quality. 

Two metering screws designed with differing diameter extract the product from the hopper, dose it (one is used for the main feed, one for the dribble feed) feeding the precise quantity into the bag filling machine positioned below.

To meet hygienic standards, the weigher is completely constructed in stainless steel and fitted with an automatic cleaning system utilising air nozzles. In addition, the weigher is designed with a special feature enabling “easy view” of the inner parts useful for access and manual cleaning, using wide inspection doors and many components quick release (e.g. extractable screw). A special platform provides access to the dosing area making it comfortable and safe for the operator.

The bagging machine positioned underneath the weigher is Concetti’s CONTINUA, the FFS machine produces bags from a tube of plastic wound in a reel, fills and closes them by heat-seal. For handling very demanding powders, Continua is equipped with de-aeration probes and special product compacting devices. Dust and spillage free operation is guaranteed with a new generation of bag-holder, engineered with a special design to enable perfect manual cleaning of the inner surfaces.

In addition, CONTINUA is fitted with a device to extract the residual air out of the bag before final sealing, creating a square stable bag that allows a safe and highly presentable pallet load. The PE bag is closed by heat-sealing, using an integrated air cleaning system ensuring the product does not adhere to the inner walls of the bag affecting seal quality. Seal cooling clamps make the closure of the bag even more resistant and hermetic.

To increase stability and visual presentation of the bag, CONTINUA also features the 45° sealing of the bag corners (K-sealing).

This weighing and bagging system operates effciently with an output varying between 180 and 280 bags per hour, dependant upon the product’s physical and handling characteristics.

Once the bags exit the FFS machine, they are pressed, equalized, checked for metal and the precise weight, and conveyed to a Concetti four column palletiser model PS-3A featuring a bag gripper designed to pick and place the bag onto a layer pre-forming device for the exact position of the palletising layer pattern. The layer is then squared, released onto the pallet and compressed resulting in the most square and stable pallet load available today for powdery and fluid products. This is an extremely flexible machine that can handle varying bag and pallet sizes, according to the programs that have been set, a huge advantage for dynamic production environments.

Finally, this groundbreaking turn-key bagging system is available complete with a stretch wrapper with top sheet applicator providing final pallet protection.

Clean, stable and square-shaped bags, another example of the success of Concetti Group technology!

More information CONCETTI's Form-Fill-Seal system CONTINUA

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